Dept grills 37 cops for being ‘extortionists’

KARACHI - Karachi Police initiated departmental inquiry against 37 policemen over their alleged involvement in collecting extortion from organised crimes.The policemen were found involved in the said lucrative businesses were posted in different police stations of district South, especially in Lyari. The suspected cops were believed to be involved in running dens within their areas. Sources privy to the matter said action was taken by the police high ups following the internal investigation made by the police special branch about the involvement of policemen in helping drug peddlers and gamblers to run their illegal businesses. According to District South Police Lyari remains on the top among all districts in Karachi where some 39 dens of gambling and narcotics were running. Sources pointed out that key police officials and operators of the dens managed to escape earlier before the action against gambling dens. FIVE KILLED IN VIOLENCEFive people were killed in separate incidents of violence here on Tuesday.A man was gunned down at Jinnah Bridge. Police said the victim was identified as Asif Khan, 30, who died in an armed attack by unidentified pillion riders. Police shifted the body to Civil Hospital, Karachi for autopsy and later handed over to heirs. Police have failed to ascertain the motive behind the murder while further investigation was underway. Earlier, a man was killed and two others were wounded in North Karachi within the jurisdiction of Khuwaja Ajmair Nagri police station. Police said some unidentified armed riders sprayed bullets on the vehicle. As result, three people, including Najaf Hussain, 25, Arsalan, 24, and Shahrukh, 25, sustained bullet wounds. They were rushed to the hospital where Najaf Hussain succumbed to injuries. Police suspected personal enmity the motive behind the incident. Further investigation was underway. Separately, a bullet-riddled body of a man was found from Rehri Goth. Police shifted the body to Jinnah Postgraudate Medical Centre for autopsy. The victim was later identified as Basheer. Police quoted the victim’s family as saying that on Monday he went to some place and later his shot dead body was found. The motive behind the incident has yet to be ascertained. No case was registered till the filing of this story.Similarly, another shot dead body of unknown man was found from Hassan Noman Colony within the jurisdiction of Sohrab Goth police station. Police said some unidentified culprits after kidnapping shot him twice in his head and later threw his body at the said place. Police shifted the body to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy and later moved to morgue for identification.Meanwhile, a suspected robber was killed during a robbing bid in Orangi Town. Police said some armed robbers were fleeing after snatching motorbike and valuables from a passerby when a resident namely Jamil opened fire on them from his licensed pistol. As a result one of them sustained bullet wounds and died on the spot while his companions managed to escape from the scene. The victim robber was later identified as Barak. Further investigation was underway.